Searching for Home
by Chelle & Nikki

~ CHAPTER 13 ~

"Ugh, I can't believe that I agreed to this Taylor. What about Ike and Zac?"
"They have it covered. Besides, it'll do them both some good to learn how to manage without me for a few days."
"But, but I don't understand why you wanted to come with me. I mean, what are you going to do?"
"Oh but my little flower, I shall be your personal assistant. Whatever your heart desires shall be my command while the two of us dwell in the beautiful state of, how you say, Georgia." Taylor said in a French accent. Brianna laughed and slapped Taylor on the arm with the back of her hand. "Come on Bri, I wanted to come with you so that I'd be here if you needed me. I didn't want you to deal with this alone. This way, if you need someone, I'll be there."
"But this is weird. Us being on a trip together. We don't know each other very well."
"I think we know enough for now. We're friends. Friends do things for each other."
"I guess. But just don't call in no favors. Remember that you came completely voluntarily. I didn't ask."
"I remember. You don't owe me for anything Brianna. Besides," Taylor switched to a deep southern accent. "I always wanted to get outta Tulsa and see another state. Reckon we can find somewhere to get us a big 'ole plate of them frog legs like momma cooks?"
"Ewww. Gross!" Brianna wined. Taylor just adjusted his sunglasses and snickered. "You're so stupid sometimes. I mean it Tay, what do you plan to do? You gonna follow me around while I ask all these strangers about my mom?"
"Yep."
"You do realize that you might get really bored?"
"Yep."
"It's going to be tiring. You know we'll probably face a lot of dead ends, right?"
"Yep."
"I don't know how many people I'm going to be sent to. Or how many wild goose chases. But you'll be on them with me."
"Yep."
"Taylor, are you listening to me?"
"Yep."
"Well can you say something besides yep?"
"Uh huh."
"Good grief!" Brianna rolled her eyes and sighed. Taylor laughed and reached over to put his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, come on. Just trying to keep the mood light. We don't laugh once in a while this will be the worst experience of both of our lives." Brianna smiled. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks Taylor."
"Welcome."
"I mean for everything. You have done a lot for me in the past few days. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Taylor took Brianna's hand as he drove down the interstate. "So, what do you say we stop for a bite in the next town huh?" He asked taking the exit. "OK, I am a little hungry." Brianna answered. Taylor drove a little while until they came to a roadside diner. They walked in and sat down at a table in the back. "What can I get ya to drink?" A waitress asked. "Um, just sweet tea for me." Brianna said looking over the menu. "I'll have the same." Taylor said. "Uh huh. Be back in a few." The waitress walked away. "So, what did Lynn say when you asked about where your mom was?" Taylor asked. Brianna had asked to talk to Lynn alone and after a bit of persuading, Taylor had agreed. "She said that they had decided to bury her in Georgia 'cause that's what she wanted." Brianna rubbed her head. "I don't know how I'm ever going to get through this." she sighed and put her menu down. "Hey, hey." Taylor said taking her hand. "I'm going to help you in whatever way I can. You're a strong girl and you can get through anything." Brianna smiled at him. "I'm glad you came with me." She said. "Me too." Taylor replied. Brianna had begun to have an unexpected appreciation for Taylor and she was beginning to think that the agreement they had to stay friends and nothing more was not what she wanted. Taylor had shown her more attention and care than she had ever gotten from anyone except her parents. He was sweet and funny and always seemed ready to do little things to help her. He was becoming very special to her and Brianna knew that someday, somehow, she'd have to find the courage to tell him. "Here you go." The waitress said sitting their drinks in front of them. "Have you decided what you want to eat?"
"Just a burger and fries please." Brianna said. "Make mine a cheese burger." Taylor said. "Back in a few." the waitress said. "Listen Brianna, there's no hurry with this alright. Ike and Zac can manage fine without us so don't think that we have to hurry back." Brianna nodded, although she had no intentions of dragging this whole thing out. she wanted to meet Pam and find out some things about her mother, lay some flowers on her mother's grave and get back home and back to her life. She still couldn't bring herself to want much of a relationship with her aunt and grandparents and she felt she had made that perfectly clear to them. They had in fact kept a respectable distance. Brianna appreciated that. To her, still, her parents were gone and her other family members just wanted to forget she'd ever existed. And that was fine with her. She and Taylor chatted and ate their dinner while thoughts raced through Brianna's head about the new feelings she was having for Taylor and asking herself why she was fighting them so much. He too was having those same thoughts and wondering how he would ever tell Brianna that he wanted to be more than friends. After they had finished eating, Taylor paid the waitress and he and Brianna walked out to the car. It was getting dark now and he was tired. "Hey, you want to get a room and start fresh in the morning?" he asked. "Taylor, we're barely through the middle of Arkansas." Brianna said. "I know, but I'm tired of driving." Brianna sighed. "Well, let me. We can stop in Mississippi ok?"
"Well, if it's alright with you. I know you're tired too."
"Yes I am, but Taylor, I just want to hurry and get this done and get back home ok. I'll drive for a while." Taylor handed Brianna the keys and he held open the driver door for her. When she climbed in, he shut the door and then walked around and climbed into the passenger seat. "God Taylor, the mirrors are screwed up." Brianna said with a giggle. "Yeah? And this seat is too close to the dashboard." They both laughed as they readjusted the seats and mirrors and then Taylor reached up and turned on the radio. "Music will help you stay awake." He smiled at Brianna as she pulled out of the parking lot and out onto the road. It was quiet as she drove down the interstate. Once in a while, a truck would roar past them. Taylor had let the seat back was almost laying down. The windows were barely cracked and every now and then, he'd adjust himself to get comfortable. Brianna couldn't help but smile. She was happy he was with her even if he wasn't good to talk to when he was tired. Soft country music drifted through the car as the numbers on the clock continued to change. Time went by fast as Brianna concentrated more and more on just getting as far as she could before she'd finally have to stop. She thought about the letter she had from her mother and how scared she was that she'd get to Georgia only to find out that Pam Richmond was no longer there and she'd have to go back to Oklahoma with no more knowledge than she had at the time she'd left. All she'd know was where her mother was buried. "Bri," Taylor sat up. "Where are we?" Brianna didn't realize she'd been crying until she tried to talk. "We just got into Mississippi."
"Brianna." Taylor said turning his body toward her. "Why are you crying?"
"I don't know. I guess I'm just a little scared." She answered, wiping her face. "Ok, I think you've had enough for tonight. Let's get a room and get some rest alright?" Taylor said. Brianna didn't try to argue. She drove about another mile and then pulled into a motel parking lot. "I'll get two rooms, you wait here." Taylor said, getting out of the car. Brianna laid her head back against the seat and sighed. When Taylor came back, he directed Brianna to the other side of the motel. They got out and took their bags out of the backseat. "Ok, you are in room 115, which is right here." Taylor pointed and handed Brianna a room key. "What room are you in?" Brianna asked. "117. Just a door away." Taylor answered. "Alright." Brianna said. "We'll get started early. I'll meet you out here about eight?" Taylor nodded and replied, "Yeah, eight is fine. Get some sleep."
"You too. Goodnight." Brianna said as she unlocked her door and walked inside. "Yeah, goodnight." Taylor whispered from in front of his door as he watched hers close. He walked into his own room and prepared for bed. Brianna took a quick shower and changed into a t-shirt and sleep pants. She got into the bed and laid awake for what seemed like hours. Finally, she drifted off to sleep. Brianna was normally one of those people who didn't dream, or at least she didn't remember her dreams. But that night, she had a dream that would stick with her. She was standing outside. She was in the middle of an open field but she wasn't sure where it was. There was nothing around her. It was a beautiful place though, very quiet and serene. It was warm and sunny, with a bit of a breeze blowing. She heard her name being called by a woman. She didn't recognize the voice but it was far away and then got louder, as if the woman was moving closer. "Briannnnaaa. Briannnnaaa!" she kept calling. Brianna looked around but never saw anyone. Then the voice said something that Brianna would never forget. "Brianna, Taylor is waiting for you. Brianna, where are you?" Brianna frantically looked around but never saw anyone or anything. Then it was quiet. Brianna looked behind her for a moment and when she turned back to face in front of herself, there was a lady there. She smiled at Brianna and despite her confusion, Brianna smiled back. She felt a sense of comfort as the lady walked toward her. She was in a long, beautiful, blue dress. Her long, dark hair hung down over her chest and pieces blew across her face with the wind. As she got closer, Brianna saw her sapphire colored eyes shinning with love and happiness. "Brianna, I have been looking everywhere for you." The lady spoke softly. "Taylor is waiting for you." Brianna barely got the words out. "What do you mean Taylor is waiting for me? Who are you?" The lady smiled. "Brianna, he's waiting. Stop wasting time. Life doesn't last long enough to waste time." Just as Brianna was about to ask the lady what she meant again, she just faded before Brianna's eyes. And again, she stood alone, in the middle of nowhere. She suddenly sat up in bed, breathing heavily and her mind racing. After a moment, she climbed out of bed and walked into the bathroom to get a drink of water. She slowly walked back to her bed and laid down. She laid there awake watching the dawn light the world outside. After a while, she finally got up turned her light on. It was nearly eight o'clock and she was still trying to figure out that whole dream. It had unnerved her a little and had just made things worse. She had reached being overwhelmed. She tried her best to compose herself enough to at least get through the trip and deal with the task she had. She'd deal with the other part later.

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